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Is Your Website Designed to Sell?
Is Your Website Designed to Sell?
Why do some websites sell better than others? Do you need a
marketing degree to create a website? Does design have much
impact or is web copy the key?
You may not realize this but many of the successful internet
marketing businesses realize that design, or layout of the
website should be a marketing decision based on research done by
internet marketers - not designers.
This is in no way a reflection of the incredible talent that
website designers have. You will clearly have a much more
professional looking site when an expert applies his handiwork.
However, it is very necessary to understand some of the key
elements that smart marketers will make certain to appear (or NOT
appear) on their highly profitable sites. If you are aware of
these you may be able to select a designer who is knowledgeable
in marketing as well.
COLOR:
Designers with a flair for color can make compelling choices that
set a mood. But reading on a computer screen demands as much
contrast as possible, otherwise the reader will have vision
fatigue. You do not want to irritate or tire your visitors in any
way or they may leave, so be certain that the main body of your
website copy is black writing on a white background - or as close
to that ideal as possible.
Colors also change appearance on different monitors, so what
looks cool and silent on one monitor may be bright and glaring on
another. Simple works.
GRAPHICS:
Striking, bold graphics can be a real eye-catcher for visitors.
Still, internet marketers are pretty much unanimous in stating
that you should avoid flash graphics as much as possible. Again,
they tend to tire visitors eyes or create a distraction from the
written copy. Even if they are initially impressed by the work it
may subconsciously annoy them. Simplicity is again the best way
to go.
LAYOUT:
The first 'fold' of your site is similar to opening a tractional
paper letter. If you remove a letter from an envelope that is
folded in three, you will obviously view the top 'fold' first.
This fold is what individuals will see without scrolling down the
page. It is CRUCIAL that necessary elements like descriptive
headlines, your contact number, newsletter subscription form etc.
all display in the first fold. Do NOT place banners here unless they
are the main element of your business as you will be giving prime
space to other websites and your customer (which you fought hard
to get in the first place) will be gone just as quickly.
These are just some of the necessary elements you should be aware
of when designing your site.
About the Author:
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Martin Boyd publishes a weekly newsletter dedicated to
guiding home business owners to maximise there internet
marketing efforts. Drop by and pick up your free newsletter
http://www.theworkathomesuccessbusiness.com/direct-marketing.htm
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